TOKYO -- Japan may consider economic sanctions against the Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK), depending on the response of the international community, Japanese Finance Minister Jun Azumi said on Friday.

"It's become clear that (the DPRK) launched a flying object so I'll consider if necessary how to respond to it while taking into account movements in the international community," he said when asked about whether Japan will seek new economic sanctions against the DPRK.

He also said that markets were reacting calmly.